Carton set-up machine



Jan. 19, 1965 w. s. PEPPLER ETAL 3,1

CARTON sm' u MACHINE Filed Dec. 6, 1962 12 Sheets-Sheet l I8 76. I I

INVENTORS, lV/LL/AM 5. PEPPAEE 1590,0 axe/(Han I ATTORNEY w. s. PEPPLER ETA| 3,165,984

CARTON SET-UP MACHINE 12 She ets-Sheet 4 Jan. 19, 1965 Filed Dec. 6, 1962 ATTORNEY 3m v 5. 3 w m R Q mmm Jan. 19, 1965 w. s. PEPPLER ETAL CARTON SETUP MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS, WILL/4M5. PEPPLEE zsfiorr (/IP/(HUFF.

Filed Dec. 6, 1962 Jan. 19, 1965 w. s. PEPPLER ETAL 3,

CARTON SET-UP MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 6, 1962 wi oo- W/u MM 5. Aq a .51? deem A CAEKHUFF ATTORNEY Jan. 19, 1965 w. s. PEPPLER ETAL 3,165,984

CARTON SET-UP MACHINE m O H mm a WWW & 5K m PM m 5 6 m w fi w MW W A l m HQ Filed Dec. 6, 1962 Jan. 19, 1965 w. s. PEPPLER ETAL 3,1

CARTON SET-UP MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 6, 1962 NOm.

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wmd

fi M MK M 5 WW M Jan. 19, 1965 w. s. PEPPLER ETAL 3,155,984

CARTON SET-UP MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVENTORS WILL/4M 5. PEPPL 5E BY @(Om t ATTORNEY Jan. 19, 1965 w. s. PEPPLER ETAL CARTON SET-UP MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Dec. 6, 1962 INVENTORS, Mum/v .5. PEPPLEE 1520))? CAEKHUFF ATTORNEY NN Q Jain. 19, 1965 w. s. PEPPLER ETAL 3,165,984

CARTON SET-UP MACHINE Filed Dec. 6, 1962 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 INVENTORS,

Mum/w 5. Papas/2 520) A CAe/(I/c/FF 4 ATTORNEY United States Patent O This invention relates generally to apparatus for setting up paperboard cartons and more particularly to an improved apparatus particularly adapted to set up folding paper board egg cartons or the like.

The invention is particularly adapted to be used in the setting up of folding paperboard egg cartons of the type wherein there are two rows of six cells in each carton and wherein the partitions separating a jacent cells in adjacent rows are specially shaped and contoured. However, general principles of the apparatus could be used to set up other folding paperboard egg cartons.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved carton set-up apparatus which is adapted to successively feed, in intermittent steps, collapsed cartons from a magazine and set the same up continuously,

rapidly and efliciently with the cartons under positive control during all set-up stages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a carton set-up apparatus which, through means for positively controlling the carton through different setting up stages, permits and elimination of guide rods and chutes, which generally extend a considerable length wherein the present apparatus is relatively compact generally encompassing a length of approximately three or four times the length of the cartons being set up.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel carton set-up apparatus which is especially adapted to set up paperboard cartons of the contoured post type which are of such a construction and configuration that it is virtually impossible to set them up by hand or by means of conventional carton set-up apparatus.

And yet another object of the present invention is to provide in the carton set-up apparatus of the character mentioned a coacting head and spreader-blade assembly to contour and lock-up a paperboard carton.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a novel carton set-up apparatus, including a novel supply magazine, means for orienting a collapsed carton to a preforming stage for initial preforming.

And a still further object of the present invention is to provide in a novel carton set-up apparatus novel means for initially opening a carton in a proper attitude for subsequent locking-up and contouring columnar post and cell forming partition structure thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide in a carton set-up apparatus of the character mentioned novel orienting means for a partially erected carton which disposes the carton in a position for manipulation by a novel coacting head and spreader-blade assembly.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel drive assembly which simultaneously operates all intermittent stages of erection of a collapsed carton including removing a single collapsed carton from a supply magazine, orienting the carton at a preliminary preform set-up station where it is partially erected into a condition for subsequent transfer to a lock-up station and finally to an eiectment station after lock-up.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the novel carton set-up 3,1653%4 Patented Ja n. 19,,1365

"ice

apparatus of the invention, portions being broken away for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus with a portion of the orienting plate at the lock-up station being broken away;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of an upper portion of the apparatus showing an intermediate period of the carton set-up cycle in which a collapsed carton is partially removed, from the supply magazine, a partially erected carton is disposed intermediately of apreform set-up station and a lock-up station, and a lockedup carton is partially disposed at an ejectment station;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 showing the positions of different cartons prior to the initiation of a cycle of operation of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIGS. 3 and. 4 showing the relative positions of the carton manipulating components at the carton preform and lock-up stations;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of the mechanically operated lock-up head of the lock-up station of the apparatus in an open condition;

' FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the lock-up head in a closed condition whereby transverse panels of the carton will be oriented into substantially mutually parallel relation for receiving a spreader-blade and longitudinal partition panels therein;

FIG. 8 is a further enlarged, fragmentary perspective view showing initial movement of the carton lock-up head with respect to a carton at the lock-up station, and showing the carton transverse partition panels being folded toward a mutually parallel position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 8 showing the spreader-blade in an intermediate position of operation wherein the spreader-blade at the lock-up station has partially creased the longitudinal partition panel and projected it partially toward locked relation with the transverse partition panels of the carton;

FIG. 10 is va perspective view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the final position of the spreader-blade wherein the carton is locked-up and the carton abutment plate is moved to a position to permit the locked up carton to be moved to the ejectment station; 7

FIG. 11 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 11-11 of FIG. 7, showing details of construction of the lock-up head;

FIG. 12 is a further enlarged, fragmentary perspective view, with portions of the apparatus removed and broken away, showing by phantom lines the alternate positions assumed by a displaceable abutment plate at the carton lock-up station and displaceable abutment plate at the carton preform station;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation, essentially diagrammatic, showing the spreader-blade operating mechanism and alternate positions thereof by phantom lines, and the operating mechanism for preform plate at the carton preform station;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation, looking from right to left at FIG. 13, showing details of the operating mechanisms for the spreader-blade and lock-up head;

FIG. 15 is an essentially diagrammatic, enlarged frag mentary side elevation of the lock-up head and carton ejector drive;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary front elevation of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line l717 of FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the preform plate at the preform station operates to initiate collapsed carton erection, and showing by phantom lines how a displaceable abutment plate functions to insure proper unfolding or breaking of the carton;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17, showing substantial erection of the carton at the preform station;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged, vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 1919 of FIG. 2, showing structural detailed the carton magazine and carton transport mechanism for removing a single carton from the magazine;

FIG. 20 is a further enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 19, showing details of a displaceable stop for insuring removal of a single folded carton preventing back-up of foldedcartons removed from the magazine; FIG. 21 is a vertical section taken on the plane of line 21 21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a further enlarged vertical section taken on the plane of line 22-22 of FIG. 19, and showing details of the carton transport mechanism;

FIG. 23 is a further enlarged, fragmentary front elevation at the juncture between the collapsed carton magazine and preform section, showing how the carton lid is separated from the carton body to be erected; FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic view illustrating by solid lines the attitude of the carton walls and lid at the preform station of the apparatus, and showing by phantom lines how the carton walls will be oriented when the carton is locked-up;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation, taken essentially on line 25-25 of FIG. 24, showing a fragmentary portion of a transverse partition panel prior to flock-up of the carton, and showing the full and partial transverse panel elements formed therein; and

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary perspective view of a contoured post carton in a locked up condition, illustrating the relationship of longitudinal partition segments and transverse partition panel elements with the'carton front and rear walls to form separate cells.

Referring to the drawings in'detail, and first considering FIGS. 1-5, the novel carton set-up apparatus is indicated generally at and comprises, as indicated by general reference characters, a' suitable support stand 12 accommodating drive means 14 and supporting, on a suitable support platform 16, a supply hopper or magazine means 18, collapsed carton preforming or erecting means 20, preformed carton lock-up means 22, and carton ejectment means 24. The drive means 14 is operatively connected to carton transport means indicated generally at 26 which serves to remove one-by-one the lowermost collapsed or folded carton 28 disposed in,

the magazine means 18, orient it in a properposition for pre-erection at the carton preform means 20, and subsequently move it to the carton lock-up means 22.

Prior to describing the specific details of each of the instrumentalities of the apparatus, the function of the apparatus is as follows:

A supply of folded or flat cartons is disposed longitudinally within the magazine means 18 with the lid portion thereof facing down. The carton transport means 26 reciprocates beneath the magazine means 18, removes the tion, the preformed carton is manipulated by the carton lock-up means 22 to form the cell-forming structure of a completely locked up carton shown in FIG. 26.

After the carton is locked up, it will then be moved by the carton transport means 26 to the carton ejeotment' means 24, and the locked up carton is laterally displaced out of the path of travel ofsubsequent oncoming cartons, as seen for example in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The support platform '16 comprises a pair of horizontally disposed, elongated angle members 30 and 32 (FIGS. 2, l7 and 19, for example) which extend beneath the magazine means 13, past the carton preform means 29 and the carton lock-up means 22, terminating at a horizontal platform 34 upon which the locked up carton lowermost collapsed or folded carton 28 therefrom and this carton is oriented at the carton preform means 20 as seen for example in FIGS. 4 and 5. At the carton'preform means 20,.the carton is blocked upwardly or unfolded to have a substantially tubular cross section, and the flat lid thereof is retained in a substantially horizontal position during its entire course of movement through the apparatus. a

The preforming of the originally flat or collapsed carton involves a complete cycle of operation of the operat ing mechanism of the apparatus. After this cycle of operation has been completed, the carton transport means then engages and moves the preformed carton which is now partially erected, and transports it to the carton lock-up means 22, and at the same time the next lowermost folded carton is moved into position to be manipulated by the carton preform means 24 As the apparatus goes through a second cycle of opere are received at the carton ejectment means 24.

The hopper or magazine means to comprises four rectangular related, vertically extending corner forming angles 36, 38, 40 and 42. The angle members 3642 generally conform to the outline of a vertical stack of collapsed cartons C.

In order to substantially relieve the load on the lowermost carton 28 in the hopper or magazine means 18, the angle members 49 and 42 have fixed on the inner surface of the transverse flanges 44 and 46, respectively, thereof (see FIG. 19) an'inwardly angled wedge element 48 which causes the uppermost folded cartons .C' to be canted so that a predetermined number of cartons C" will be disposed therebeneath. Accordingly, although a relatively large stack of cartons may be disposed in the magazine means, excessive vertical load on thelowermost cart-on is prevented.

The flanges 44 and 46 are cut-out or notched, as seen in FIG. 19, to provide a transverse slot 5% through which the lowermost collapsed carton will be removed or dispensed.

Disposed below the upper flanges of the angle members 30 and 32, and suitably supported therebetween in parallel relationship to the angle members, is a support tube or'rod 54 of the carton transport means 26. Recipro cably supported on the rod 54 is' a carrier member 56 which has mounted thereon carton engaging assemblies 58, 60 and 62. The carton engaging assembly 53 includes a longitudinally extending and vertically displaceable spring finger 64, and the assemblies 60 and 62 respectively include vertically displaceable spring fingers 66 and 68. The assembly 60 has pivotally connected thereto at 70 an operating link 72, for reciprocating the carrier 56.

Considering FIG. 1, with respect to the drive for the operating link 72, support stand 12 has mounted on a horizontal support platform 74 power means 76, such as an electrically energized motor. Power means 76 includes a power output shaft 78 upon which is fixed a drive sheave or pulley 80. Mounted on the support stand, parallel to the power output shaft 73,'is an idler shaft 82 upon which is fixed a driven pulley 84 parallel to the pulley 80, and a suitable drive belt 86 is entrained over the pulleys and 84. The idler shaft 82 is mounted in any suitable manner on the support stand,

' and has fixed thereon a drive spur gear 88 in meshed element 94 having pivotally connected thereto, as indicated at 96, eccentric of the axis of rotation of the main drive shaft 92, a force transmitting lever 98. The force transmitting lever 98 is pivotally connected at 100 to a lever portion 102 of a relatively large bell crank lever 104. The bell crank lever 104is pivotally mounted at 106 on a suitable pillow bearing'108 mounted on the support stand. The bell crank 194 includes a vertically extending lever portion 110 pivotally connected at 112to the carton transport carrier operating lever 72.

Rotation of the main drive shaft'92 will result in verti cal' oscillation of the force transmitting link 98, accordingly' causing oscillation of the bell :cr'ank 194 which,

through the lever portion 110, causes the operating link 72 to reciprocate.

The vertically displaceable spring fingers of the carton engaging assemblies sass are so spaced along the carton transport member 56 as to respectively engage the rear edge of a locked up carton, a preformed carton, or a folded carton. V

The spring fingers 64 and s3 have a slight lost motion when moving to the left, as indicated by the direction arrows in FIG. 19, and abutment means are provided, as will be subsequently described in detail, to positively orient the folded cartons into a proper position for manipulation by the preform means 29 and lock-up means 22.

After the lowermost folded carton has been moved out of the opening 50 from beneath the magazine means 13, the carrier or transport member 26 returns to the position shown in FIG. 19 for engaging the now lowermost carton in the magazine means, and the spring fingers 64-68 will be displaced downwardly by the cartons disposed at the preform means 21 for engagement with the now lowermost carton in the magazine means 13. In order to prevent a folded carton from being moved from the preform means 20 back into the opening 51 of the magazine means, a displaceable stop assembly 114 is provided; see FIGS. 2, 3 and 19-21.

The vertically displaceable stop assembly 114 includes a vertically adjustable support plate 115 mounted by means of a screw 118 on the depending flange of the angle member 30. Fixed to the upper end of the plate angle plate which overlies and which is disposed parallel V 116 and projecting laterally over the horizontal flange of the angle member 39 is a support block 126 which has pivotally mounted on one side thereof, by means of a screw element 122, a vertically displaceable abutment element 124.

The block element 1211 has fixed to the upper surface thereof, by means of a screw 126, a horizontally projecting leaf spring element 128 which engages the upper surface of the vertically displaceable stop element 124 and urges it downwardly onto the upper surface of the horizontal flange of the angle member 30. The spring element 128 will permit the stop element 124 to move vertically to allow a folded carton 28 to pass therebeneath; however, the pointed nose 129 of the stop element will prevent the trailing edge of a folded carton disposed at the preform means 26 to move to the right, as seen in FIG. 19.

The plate 116 and block 120 thereon may be adjusted vertically in order to accommodate for the different thicknesses of folded cartons to pass therebeneath.

Mounted on the undersurface of the horizontal flange 130 of the angle member 311 is a support block 132; see FIGS. l9-2l. The support block 132 includes in the undersurface thereof recesses 134, and extending through suitable apertures in the flange 130 are machine screws 136 flush with the upper surface of flange 13% and receiving on the lower end thereof retaining nuts 138. The machine screws have disposed thereabout, above the nuts 138, compression springs 14f! disposed on the recesses 134.

The support block 132 is bifurcated as indicated at 142,

and has supported on a shaft 144 a roller element 145. The roller element 146 projects through a slot 148 in the flange 130 of the angle member and will accordingly engage the undersurface of the lowermost folded carton 28 as it is being moved from the magazine means 18. The spring urged roller 146, together with the downwardly urged stop element 124-, cooperates to insure that only a single folded carton 23 is moved from beneath the magazine means as the carton is engaged by spring finger 62.

The carton C includes a lid portion L and a body portion B. Fixed on the vertical flange on the angle member 32, as shown in detail in FIG. 23, is a guide shoe 1519 which functions to engage the leading edge portion of the lid L of the carton and guide it beneath an elongated to a channel forming angle member 152. The angle mem ber .152 extends substantially along the entire length of the preforming means 20 and the carton lockatp means 22; see for example FIGS. 8-10, 17 and 18.

Mounted on the outer surface of the channel forming member 152, by means of screws 154, is a vertically adjustable mounting plate portion 156 of a guide shoe 158 which guides the leading edge of the body portion B of the folded cartons inwardly and upwardly-behind a vertically pivotal, preforming plate 160.

The plate 160 is notched out at 162 to perm-it vertical pivotal movement thereof without interference with the guide shoe 150. The plate 161) is hingedly mounted at 164 on an inner portion of the angle member 152 and includes an angular upper edge portion 166 which will engage the carton fold line FL between the carton front wall panel-PW and bottom wall panel BW (see FIGS. 17 and 18); and unfold the body B into the substantially rectangular tubular condition clearly seen in FIGS. 17 and 18.

The preform plate includes on the inner edge thereof longitudinally spaced teeth 16$ for engaging the bottom panel BW between the foot portions F of the carton to permit the feet F to fold out of the plane of the front wall panel BW at fold line FL as seen in FIG. 17. The preform plate 16% also includes an angularly disposed guide-in portion 170 for guiding the leading edge of the carton body B inwardly thereof and through the notch 162.

The plate 1% preferably includes at the upper left hand corner thereof an outwardly extending mounting ear 172 connected at 174 to an angular operating link 1176.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 13, 14, 17 and 18, the support stand 12 has suitably mounted thereon a support shaft 178 which has journalled thereon a support sleeve 1% having a lever 132 secured at one end thereof and projecting vertically therefrom. The lever 182 is pivotally connected at 184 to a connecting link 186, and a tension spring 188 is anchored at one end to the lever 182, the other end of which is anchored on the support stand at 1%.

Suitably mounted on the support stand, as indicated at 192, is a bearing block to which is pivotally mounted at 194 a bell crank lever having a short leg 1% pivotally connected at 198 to the connecting link 186. The other leg 2439 of the bell crank lever is pivotally connected at 2&2 to the end of the connecting link 176.

Operation or oscillation of the tubular sleeve 18% will cause the simultaneous operation of the preform plate 151 and components of the carton lock-up means 22, and the means for oscillating the sleeve 18%) will subsequently be described in detail. However, as clearly illustrated in H6. 13, by means of solid and phantom lines, when the link 1176 is moved from the phantom line position to that shown by solid lines, the preforming plate 161 will engage the body portion of a carton disposed at the preform means 21 and preform it as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.

It will be noted that the lid portion L of the carton will be disposed in the longitudinal passage of channel 204- formed between the horizontal flanges of the angle member 32 and the channel forming member 152 (see FIGS. 17 and 18).

Hingedly mounted at 266 on the rear corner of the angle member 355 (see FIGS. 12, 17 and 18, for example) is a vertically pivotal abutment plate 208 which is normally in substantially planar relationship with the upper flange 13 3 of the angle member 30, and which is periodically oriented into a substantially vertical position for aiding to insure the proper unfolding of the body portion B of the carton by engaging the carton at the hinge line FL between the rear wall panel RW and the bottom wall panel BW'.

The unfolding of the carton body insures that the feet F" fold out of the bottom wall panel BW' as partially indicated in FIG. 17. It will be noted when the body B of the carton is Oriented into tubular relationship, the bottom wall panel BW' will be disposed in overlying relationship with respect to the abutment, plate 208. When this occurs, the longitudinal partition panel LP will be disposed in substantially parallel relationship to the transverse partition panel TP; further, the feet F, F" will be in substantially coplanar relationship with the longitudinal partition panel LP as clearly seen in FIG. 18.

The abutment plate 208 includes at one end a depending mounting plate portion 210 pivotally connected at 212 to an adjustable connecting link 214.

The support frame 12 has mounted at the rear thereof an oscillatable support shaft 218 which terminates adja cent the end of the abutment plate 208. Projecting inwardly and radially from the end of the shaft 218, adjacent the abutment plate 208, is a lever element 220 which is pivotally connected at its inner end at 222 to the lower end of the adjustable connecting link 214. Oscillation of the shaft 218, without describing the manner in'which this is accomplished, will result in movement of the abut ment plate 208 from the solid line position shown in FIG. 12 to the phantom line position. The lever 220 has connected thereto a tension spring 224 which'is anchored on the support frame or stand 12 aiding to operate one of the components of the carton lock-up means 22 of the apparatus.

The shaft 213 has projecting radially therefrom and fixed thereto an operating lever 226 which engages a laterally projecting roller 228 journalled on an elongated lever 230 pivotally mounted at 232 on the support frame 12 (see FIG. 12). The lever 230 includes an intermediate roller or cam follower element 234 which engages the outer periphery of a cam 236 fixed on the outer end of the drive shaft 92.

The cam 236 includes a radially increased lobe portion 238 which causes the levers 226 and 230 to move from the solid line position to the phantom line position shown in FIG. 12.

The aforementioned movement results in os'cillationof the shaft 218 about its longitudinal axis, accordingly causing theabutment plate 208 to alternately assume the solid and phantom line positions shown in FIG. 12 for the purpose previously mentioned.

In order to further assist or initiate the proper unfolding of the body portion B of the carton being operated on by the preforming means 20, the hopper means 18 has extending transversely between the flanges 44 and 46 of the legs and 42, respectively, a support strap 240 which has depending therefrom a plate element 242 which has an inwardly projecting abutment element 244 on the lower end thereof. The abutment element 244 will overlie one end of the lid L of a carton, and since the strap or support plate 242 is of a spring-like character, the abutment element 244 will displaceably engage an upwardly moving portion of the carton body to insure that unfolding occurs at fold line FL'.

Supported on an angle bracket element 246 is a second abutment element 248 which likewise engages the body portion of the carton and has the same function as the abutment element 244 (see FIGS. 2 and 5, forexample). Spanning the carton preform and carton lock-up means 20 and 22, respectively, and suitably supported on the support stand 12 is a vertically extending guide channel 250 which includes on upper and lower flange portions 252 and 254, the upper flange 252 including a depending lip portion 256 (see FIG. 17, for example). When the carton body is preformed to the conditions shown in FIG. 18, the feet F, F will be disposed in substantially coplanar relationship with the longitudinal aartition panel L, and the foot P will be substantially vertically disposed in the guide track adjacent the back )f the guide channel 250.

The carton lock-up means 22 generally comprises a lock-up head indicated generally at 258, a spreader-v blade assembly indicated generally at 260 and an abutment or orienting plate assembly indicated generally at 262.

The abutment or orienting plate 262 is most clearly seen in FIG. 12, and is operated by means of the previously described oscillating shaft 218 through the medium of the radial lever 220 which operates the abutment plate 208 of the carton preforming means20.

Extending horizontally and suitably journalled on the support stand 12 is a shaft 264 which has fixed thereto by means of suitable mounting brackets 266 a plate member 268 having a forward or upper angular plate portion 270 substantially conforming to the configuration of one side of the locked-up carton (see FIGS. 810). Extending from the plate portion 270 at the left hand end thereof as viewed in FIG. 12 is an indexing element 272 which will engage the leading end of a preformed carton body and index it with respect to the lock-up head 258 and spreader-blade assembly 260. The plate 268 will pivot from the solid'to the phantom line position shown in FIG. 12 due to oscillation of the shaft 264.

The shaft 264 has fixed at 274 a lever element 276 which is pivotally connected at 278 to a vertically extending operating lever 282. The operating lever 282 is pivotally connected at its lower end at 284 to an intermediate portion of the previously described lever 220 which is oscillated by the shaft 218.

Clockwise oscillation of the shaft 218 causes upward movement of the lever, 220, resulting in the substantially vertical positioning of the abutment plate 208 and pivotal movement thereof causes the lever 276 to move to the phantom line position shown in FIG. 12, and accordingly causes the substantially horizontal positioning of the abutment plate 268.

When the plate 268 is disposed in the phantom line position shown in FIG. 12, the leading end of the body portion of the preformed carton will abuttingly engage the indexing element 272 as the carton is moved by the carton transport means 26 from the carton preform means into a position to be manipulated by the carton lock-up means.

The lock-up head 258 comprises a pair of vertically extending support arms 286 and 288 (see FIGS. 15 and 16, for example) which are journalled at their lower ends at 290 and 292, respectively, on a horizontal support shaft 294 mounted on the support stand 12.

The arms 286 and 288 have respectively anchored thereto one end of tension springs 296 and 298, the other ends of these springs being anchored on the support frame. The springs 296 and 298 tend to draw the arms 286 and 288 toward the phantom line position shown in FIG. 15. Suitably secured to the upper ends of the arms 286 and 288 are substantially C-shaped bracket elements 300 and 302 which are substantially wrapped about the lower, forward and upper surfaces of the channel forming member 152. The channel forming member 152 may have a guide block 304 fixed on the upper surface thereof and in a notch of which the arm 302 is guidingly supported (see FIGS. 2-5, for example).

The inner ends of the arms 300 and 302 are connected to a head member 306 which has formed on the inner surface thereof suitably conformed fixed abutment finger elements 308-322 and339 which will engage and orient the transverse partition panel elements 324 and 326 of the carton body (see FIG. 24) and dispose them substantially at right angles to the plane of the panel out ofwhich they are formed, .as seen in FIG. 26, and progressively illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. F

The head 306 has pivotally mounted on vertical pivot elements 328-334 (see FIGS. 6, 7 and 11) horizontallyoscillated gripping finger elements 336-342, respectively, which will move from the position shown in FIG. 6 to that shown in FIG. 7, for the purpose of positively orient-f ing the transverse panel elements in a proper position forreceiving the locking-up structure of the carton bottom, when the spreader blade assembly 260 moves from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the final lock-up position shown in FIG. 10.

It will be noted from FIGS. 8-11 that the fixed fingers 308-322 and 339 and horizontally pivoted fingers 336 342 are disposed in vertically spaced pairs in order to permit the spreader-blade, to subsequently be described, to pass therebetween. Accordingly, similar reference characters are utilized to identify the fixed and pivotal fingers of the lock-up head assembly 258.

It will be noted; upon considering FIGS. 6 and 7, that the outer levers 336, 342 will respectively pivot toward the fingers 308 and 322, respectively, whereas the inner levers 338 and 340 simultaneously pivot toward each other toward fingers 339 as seen and shown by the direction arrows of FIG. 7, i.e., in opposite directions.

This reversed pivotal movement is provided by a pair of crossed levers 344 and346 respectively connected to the pivot elements 33% and 332 of the innermost pivotal fingers 33?, and 340. The outer ends of the levers 344 and 346 are connected to coil springs 34% and 350, respectively, which are anchored at their outer ends (see FIGS. 1, 6, 7) to a pin element 352 extending transversely through the upper end of a support lever element 354.

The lever 354 is pivotally supported at 356 between a member 358. The bracket member 358 includes an adjustable stop or abutment screw 360 extendable toward and away from the lever 354 for adjusting or determining when the finger elements 336-342 will begin to have their pivotal movement away from the position shown in FIG. 6 toward that shown in FIG. 7.

When the arms 3439, 302 pivot from the phantom to the solid line position shown in FIG. 15, at a predetermined position of travel, the abutment screw 36d engages the support lever 354 and thereafter the springs 348 and 35% are tensioned to cause the levers 344, 346 to pivot with respect to each other, accordingly causing the pivoted fingers 338 and 340 to pivot toward each other. The pivotal finger 336 includes a rearwardly projecting portion which has pivotally connected at 362an elongated connecting link 364 which is. pivotally connected at 366 to the pivotal finger 34%. Likewise, the pivotal finger 342 is pivotally connected at 368 to a connecting link 37% which is pivotally connected at 372 to the rear end of the pivotal finger 338. a

When the pivotal finger 338 moves toward the right as indicated in FIG. 7, the finger 342 will also be caused to move toward the right. Likewise, the pivotal movement or the finger 340 causes the finger 336 to move in a common direction therewith.

The main drive shaft 92 (see (FIGS. 15 and 16) has mounted thereon cam elements 374 and 376 which are in coplanar relationship with cam follower roller elements 378 and 330, respectively, journalled at 382 and 384, respectively, on the arms 286 and 288.

As previously mentioned, the arms 2% and 238 are urged by the tension springs 2% and 298, respectively, and the rollers 378 and 386 engaging the cam elements 374 and 376, respectively, will cause the support arms or the set-up head assembly 253 to move, during a single rotation of the drive shaft 92, from the phantom to the solid line position shown in FIG. 15.

Carried on a suitable support angle member 382 mounted on the support frame 12 is the spreader-blade assembly 266 which includes opposed guide tracks 384 and 386 which reciprocally support wheels 388 and 39% respectively, of a spreader-blade assembly dolly 392. The dolly 392 includes a forwardly projecting draft link 394 which is pivotally connected at 396 to a bifurcated, vertically extending lever 400 connected at the lower end to the sleeve 180 journalled on support shaft 178 (see FIG. 14).

It will be recalled that the sleeve 18% functions to operate the preform plate 16% The lever 4% is journalled 1'9 7 at 402 to a cam follower element 464 engageable on the outer periphery of a cam 466 fixed to the drive shaft 92.

Due to rotation of the drive shaft 92, the cam element 406 will cause the lever 4% to move from the solid to phantom line position shown in FIG. 13, this resulting in forward and rearward reciprocable movement of the spreader-blade assembly 260 as indicated by the phantom and solid lines of FIG. 13.

It will be noted that member 259 has a cut-out portion 412 to permit the reciprocatory movement of the spreaderblade assembly 26% (see FIGS. 13 and 14). V

Inasmuch as the previously described spring 188 is anchored at 19%, FIGS. 13 and 15 may be correlated to the extent that when the lockup head assembly 258 is in the solid line position shown, i.e. at its leftwardmost position shown in FIG. 15, the spreader-blade assembly 269 is likewise in the solid line position as shown in FIG. 13, i.e. is at its rightwardmost position.

The dolly 392 includes a vertically extending support 4-14 which has a horizontal support base or block element 416 upon which is mounted by means of cap screws 418, or the like, a spreader-blade assembly 420. The spreader-blade 429 will be effective to engage the longitudinal partition panel LP of FIG. 17,-and engage it at the longitudinal intermediate fold line A and cause this partition to move inwardly as indicated in FIGS. 8-10.

The blade 42% includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, substantially coplanar blade segments 422, edges of which have extending transversely or vertically thereof, lips or flanges 424 which extend out of the plane of the segments 422 to form the contoured partition panel segments 426 of the carton (see FIG. 26) and column-like portions indicated generally at 428.

As previously mentioned, the full depth, transverse partition panels 324 and relatively shorter transverse partition panels 326 will be maintained substantially parallel to each other, or at right angles to the side walls of the carton (see FIG. 26) as the blade 42%, including the forming portions 422 and 424, extends in between the slots formed by the fixed fingers 308-322 and pivotal fingers 336342 of the set-up head. The locking struc-- ture of the carton is fully described in detail in the copending application Serial No. 138,244.

During the cycle or revolution of the drive shaft 92, movement of the set-up head 258 toward the right or phantom line position of FIG. 15, causes the pivotal fingers 336-342 to move from the position shown in FIG. 7 to that shown in FIG. 6, these fingers having been effective to maintain the locking structure of the transverse partition panels in a relatively fixed position to engage the cooperating portions of the longitudinal partition and bottom walls of the carton. As the lock-up head moves to the right, mentioned above, the spreader-blade assembly 260 moves to the left shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 13, it being noted that as the spreader-head passes through the opening 412 in the member 250, the carton will be stripped 01f of the blade 420.

A next oncoming preformed carton will be moved into the position for manipulation by the lock-up means, by the carton engaging assembly 60 which will cause the locked up carton to move into position for engagement by the ejector means 24. V The ejector means 24, as previously mentioned, comprises a support platform 34, and the platform includes an outer vertical flange 426 and an inner vertical flange 428, having an intermediate cut-oif portion 430 in alignment with the leading end of a locked up carton to receive the same therethrough. The support platform 34 includes an elongated slot 432 which has projecting therethrough an elongated, horizontally oscillating support bar 434 which projects above the upper surface of a support platform 434 and which has fixed to the upper end thereof a transverse pusher plate 436.

The support bar 434 is secured at its lower end to a laterally projecting sleeve 438 which is journaled on a terminal or laterally projecting end portion of the support shaft 294. The sleeve 438, as seen in FIGS. 1, 15 and 16, for example, has fixed to the inner end thereof a radially projecting lever 440 including an inwardly extending pin 442 which is received in the slot of the bifurcated end portion 444 of a lever 446. The lever 446 is intermediately pivoted at 448 on the support arm 286, and pivotally connected at 450 at the lower end thereof to a link 452 pivotally mounted at 454 on the support stand 12. As the arm 286 of the lock-up head assembly 258 is oscillated horizontally due to the rotation of the cam 374 (see FIG. 15) the pusher plate 436 will be moved from the solid to the dotted line position known in FIG. 15, the amount of travel afforded by the pusher plate 436 being approximately the thickness of a locked up carton to accordingly move the cartons out of their path of travel through the preform means 20 and lock-up means 22..

Brief review of the operation of the apparatus The general function and structure of the apparatus is as follows:

A plurality of folded, fiat cartons C are loaded in the hopper or chute means 18, lid-down, and a predetermined number of the folded cartons (see FIG. 19) will be more or less separated from those folded cartons thereabove.

The carton transport means 26 will be reoiprocated to remove a single folded carton to a position at the preform means 20 which may be conveniently described as a preform station. When the folded carton is at this position, the carton body B is unfolded by a preforming plate 160 and pivotal abutment plate 208 (see FIGS. 17 and 18) and the feet F of the preformed carton body will be disposed in a guided track formed by plate member 250.

The assembly 114 functions to insure that a folded carton is removed from the hopper means 18 one-at-atime.

The carton lock-up means 22, conveniently described as the lock-up station, functions at the same time the carton preform means 20 functions.

It will be noted that the collapsed carton is not moved longitudinally when it is being unfolded at the preform station and thus conventional unfolding tracks or guide rails are eliminated.

The lid L of the carton is guided beneath a channel forming member 152 and is maintained in the channel 204 formed thereby during the preforming and locking up of the carton.

The preformed carton is indexed into its proper position at the lock-up station 22 by the plate assembly 262 including indexing element 272.

After the preformed carton is indexed in the manner shown in FIG. 8, the lock-up head 258 moves in the manner sequentially indicated in FIGS. 8-10, causing the transverse partition panels 324 and 326 to be disposed substantially at right angles to the panel outof which they are formed, these panels being positively oriented or retained in this position during lock-up of the carton by fixed fingers 308322 and 339 and pivotal fingers 336- 342 of the lock-up head assembly 258. I

At the same time that the lock-up head assembly 258 is moving towardthe left, as seen in FIGS. 8-10, the spreader-blade assembly 260 is moving toward the right. The spreader-blade assembly 260 includes a configuration wherein the longitudinal partition of the carton is progressively folded as seen in FIGS. 8-10, positively locking up the carton and simultaneously contouring the feet of the carton, particular reference in this regard being drawn to copending application Serial No. 138,244.

After the carton is locked up, it is moved by the carton engaging assembly to the ejector means 24 and in this manner cartons are continuously removed from the hopper means 18, preformed at the preformed means 20,

ious changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

We claim: 1. In an egg carton set-up apparatus for erecting a collapsed, cellular, transverse-partition type egg carton" characterized by a tubular body having a hinged lid and including a longitudinal partition forming a plurality of separated post segments extending from the under surface of the lid to the lower margins of the erected carton, said set-up apparatus comprising a support stand having 2. Iongitudinal path of travel for cartons therethrough and having mounted thereon drive means, said support stand including a support platform, a supply hopper on said platform for receiving collapsed, longitudinally-disposed carton preforming means on said support stand adjacent said hopper for forming a collapsed carton into a tube with the longitudinal partition panel disposed in a vertically extending planar condition, carton lock-up means on said support stand adjacent said carton preforming means, and a carton transport reciprocably mounted along the longitudinal path of travel on said support stand be neath said supply hopper and carton preform means; the improvement characterized in that said support platform includes a vertically extending channel-forming member extending the length of said carton preforming means and carton lock-up means and above said carton transport for receiving and guiding the planar longitudinal partition panel during movement through said apparatus, said carton preform means comprising a preform plate displaceably mounted on said support stand and movable transversely of said longitudinal path of travel and toward and away from said channel-forming member.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said carton preform means includes an arcuate guide shoe mounted on said support stand adjacent to said supply hopper for engaging and initiating erection of the collapsed cartons, said support stand including a member extending horizontally from said arcuate shoe along the longitudinal path of said apparatus and forming a horizontal channel on said apparatus for receiving the lid of a carton therein as it passes through the apparatus, said preform plate being hingedly mounted on said support stand inwardly of said arcuate guide shoe and including a cut-out portion permitting said preform plate to move from a horizontal to a substantially vertical position past said arcuate shoe.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carton preform means includes a secondary abutment locked up at the lock-up means 22, and finally ejected platedisplaceably mounted on said support stand adjacent a lower portion of said guide channel and disposed in opposition to said preform plate for initiating proper preforming of said collapsed cartons into a tube.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 3 in which said drive means includes an operating .shaft extending longitudinally of said path of travel in said apparatus, said lock-up means including a displaceable orienting plate assembly pivotally mounted adjacent the upper portion of said channel-forming member for engaging and main taining the tubular carton walls in a position for subsequent lock-up, said secondary abutment plate and said orienting plate assemblybeing operatively connected to and simultaneously operated by said operating shaft.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which said orienting plate assembly includes a depending abutment portion for engaging one end of a preformed carton for orienting it in a position for final lock-up and erection.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said lock-up means comprises a head assembly and spreader assembly disposed on said support stand in opposed relationhip onopposite sides of the path of travel of cartons in said support stand for engaging a tubular, preformed E13 carton and locking the longitudinal partition thereof with respect to transverse partition panels.

7. The structure as claimed in claim 6 wherein said lock-up head assembly comprises a dolly portion and guide tracks disposed laterally of the longitudinal path of travel through said apparatus, said dolly portion being displaceably supported on said guide tracks.

8. The structure of claim 1 including carton ejectment means disposed adjacent to said carton lock-up means downstream of the longitudinal path of travel of cartons in said apparatus, said carton ejectment means comprising a pusher plate displaceably mounted at one side of the longitudinal path of travel of cartons in said apparatus 14- for displacing them laterally of said path of travel, said drive means including portions sequentially operating said pusher plate portion for displacing a locked-up carton after a preformed carton is disposed in a position to be locked-up.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,514,633 Schmidt Nov. 11, 1924 2,659,279 Fahey Nov. 17, 1953 2,677,543 Ohrn May 4, 1954 2,700,922 Jordan Feb. 1, 1955 

1. IN AN EGG CARTON SET-UP APPARATUS FOR ERECTING A COLLAPSED, CELLULAR, TRANSVERSE-PARTITION TYPE EGG CARTON CHARACTERIZED BY A TUBULAR BODY HAVING A HINGED LID AND INCLUDING A LONGITUDINAL PARTITION FORMING A PLURALITY OF SEPARATED POST SEGMENTS EXTENDING FROM THE UNDER SURFACE OF THE LID TO THE LOWER MARGINS OF THE ERECTED CARTON, SAID SET-UP APPARATUS COMPRISING A SUPPORT STAND HAVING A LONGITUDINAL PATH OF TRAVEL FOR CARTONS THERETHROUGH SAID HAVING MOUNTED THEREON DRIVE MEANS, SAID SUPPORT STAND INCLUDING A SUPPORT PLATFORM, A SUPPLY HOPPER ON SAID PLATFORM FOR RECEIVING COLLAPSED, LONGITUDINALLY-DISPOSED CARTON PREFORMING MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT STAND ADJACENT SAID HOPPER FOR FORMING A COLLAPSED CARTON INTO A TUBE WITH THE LONGITUDINAL PARTITION PANEL DISPOSED IN A VERTICALLY EXTENDING PLANAR CONDITION, CARTON "LOCK-UP" MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT STAND ADJACENT SAID CARTON PREFORMING MEANS, AND A CARTON TRANSPORT RECIPROCABLY MOUNTED ALONG THE LONGITUDINAL PATH OF TRAVEL ON SAID SUPPORT STAND BENEATH SAID SUPPLY HOPPER AND CARTON PREFORM MEANS; THE IMPROVEMENT CHARACTERIZED IN THAT SAID SUPPORT PLATFORM INCLUDES A VERTICALLY EXTENDING CHANNEL-FORMING MEMBER EXTENDING THE LENGTH OF SAID CARTON PREFORMING MEANS AND CARTON "LOCK-UP" MEANS AND ABOVE SAID CARTON TRANSPORT FOR RECEIVING AND GUIDING THE PLANAR LONGITUDINAL PARTITION PANEL DURING MOVEMENT THROUGH SAID APPARATUS, SAID CARTON PREFORM MEANS COMPRISING A PREFORM PLATE DISPLACEABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT STAND AND MOVABLE TRANSVERSELY OF SAID LONGITUDINAL PATH OF TRAVEL AND TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID CHANNEL-FORMING MEMBER. 